Chiefs Manawa

Chiefs Manawa

Union	New Zealand Rugby
Founded	2021; 4 years ago (2021)
Location	Hamilton, New Zealand
Region	Bay of Plenty Counties Manukau Waikato Taranaki
Coach(es)	Crystal Kaua
Captain(s)	Kennedy Simon
League(s)	Super Rugby Aupiki
2024	Runners-up
Official website
www.chiefs.co.nz

The Chiefs Manawa are a New Zealand women's professional rugby union team based in Hamilton, New Zealand that competes in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition.^[1]

Chiefs Manawa won the inaugural season of the Super Rugby Aupiki competition. They went undefeated throughout the season and beat the Blues Women 35–0 in the final round to claim the title.^[2][3][4][5]

In 2023 they continued their winning streak throughout the regular season, however were defeated by Matatū in the final.

The Chiefs Manawa were finalists for the third straight year in 2024 facing the Blues Women at Eden Park but once again finished runner-up. However, following the final they re-connected to field a Chiefs Manawa Development XV to face the USA ahead of their PAC4 test against the Black Ferns.^[6] The Chiefs Manawa Development XV tied with the USA in the training game 29-29.

History

Historic clash

The Chiefs and Blues women created history when they clashed in the first-ever women's Super Rugby match in New Zealand on 1 May 2021.^[7][8] The game was hosted by the Blues at Eden Park and was played as a double header before the Round 10 Super Rugby Aotearoa match between their men's teams.^[7][8] The Chiefs were sponsored by the Waitomo Group, which is a Waikato-based fuel company, and were named Waitomo Wahine Chiefs.^[8]

The Chiefs proved too good for the Blues women and dealt them a major defeat in their historic match.^[9][10] They won 39–12 as both teams exhibited their skills and scored some impressive tries.^[9][10]

Super Rugby Aupiki announcement; Squad and Coaching team named

On 6 October 2021, New Zealand Rugby confirmed an elite Four-team women's competition called Super Rugby Aupiki for March 2022.^[11][12][13] The competition would run for four weeks with the women being paid for their participation.^[14][15][13]

The Chiefs released a list of player signings along with the other three teams in November 2021.^[16][17][18] The coaching set-up was announced later with Allan Bunting named as Head Coach, he would be assisted by Crystal Kaua and Rodney Gibbs.^[19][20][21]

Team name and identity

The Chiefs unveiled their new name and the jersey the women's team would be using in the inaugural season of Super Rugby Aupiki. It was revealed that the team would be known as Chiefs Manawa. The word Manawa is derived from two words – mana and wāhine. The Chiefs Mana being a "central pillar of the club and wāhine being the most identifiable feature of the team."^[22][23][24]

Newly appointed Head coach, Allan Bunting, led the process of developing the new team identity together with the Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan, New Zealand Rugby's Māori cultural advisor Luke Crawford, Chiefs jersey designer Dave Burke, Chiefs general manager Kate Rawnsley and a number of players.^[22][23][24]

The team jersey was also unveiled at the same time, the most important aspect of the design is the mangōpare (the hammerhead shark) – the design depicting "determination and tenacity"; When viewed from another angle the pattern depicts the Manawa (beating heart) shape. Incorporated into the jersey is the Te Raranga Harakeke – the flax weave - "which connects to the more feminine art of weaving." It sits in behind the flowing design of the kōwhaiwhai pattern which "represents the connecting waterways flowing in the Chiefs contributing regions."^[22][23][24]

Inaugural season Champions

Chiefs Manawa played Matatū in a pre-season game ahead of the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki season, they won a 28–20.^[25][26]

Chiefs Manawa faced Matatū again in the opening match of the Super Rugby Aupiki season. They were victorious after a hard-fought match with a score of 17–15.^[27][28] They then met Hurricanes Poua in round two, they ran in five tries to win their second game 29–8 and remain unbeaten.^[29][30]

The final round saw them face-off against the Blues as they kept them scoreless with a 35–0 win and crowned the first champions of Super Rugby Aupiki.^[31][32]

2023

Crystal Kaua was appointed as the new Head Coach of Chiefs Manawa for the 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki season.^[33][34][35] The Chiefs Rugby Club announced that the Chiefs Manawa would play in the same jersey as the men's team to solidify them as a part of the club and to continue to push for equal opportunities in rugby.^[36]

Current squad

On 28 November 2023, the squad for the 2024 Super Rugby Aupiki season was announced.^[37][38]

Chiefs Super Rugby Aupiki squad
Props Bitila Tawake Kate Henwood Krystal Murray Tanya Kalounivale Te Urupounamu McGarvey Hookers Luka Connor Vici-Rose Green Locks Charmaine Smith Chelsea Bremner Chyna Hohepa Mia Anderson	Loose forwards Ashlee Gaby-Sutherland Kennedy Simon (c) Seina Saito Victoria Edmonds Halfbacks (scrum-halves) Ariana Bayler Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu First five-eighths (fly-halves) Hazel Tubic Kiriana Nolan Chelsea Semple	Midfielders (centres) Azalleyah Ma′aka Merania Paraone Grace Steinmetz Outside backs Apii Nicholls Georgia Thompson Grace Kukutai Mererangi Paul Olive Watherston Reese Anderson Renee Holmes Ruby Tui
(c) Denotes team Captain, Bold denotes internationally capped, ^SP denotes a shadow player and ^ST indicated short-term cover.

Current coaches and management

• Head Coach: Crystal Kaua
• Assistant Coach: Dwayne Sweeney
• Assistant Coach: Carla Hohepa
• Manager: Hannah Shalders
• Doctor: Thomas Pett
• Physio: Sian Northy
• Strength and Conditioning Coach: Tasmyn Jackson
• Analyst: Tandi Keet
• Assistant Analyst: Reese Lane

Captains

Coach	Period	Ref
Les Elder	2022	[39]
Kennedy Simon	2023–Present	[40]

Coaches

Chiefs Manawa coaches by date, matches and win percentage*

Coach	Period	G	W	D	L	%
Allan Bunting	2022	3	3	0	0	100%
Crystal Kaua	2023–Present	12	8	0	4	66.66%
Totals (2022–present)^*		15	11	0	4	73.33%
Updated to: 13 April 2024

Notes:

^* Official Super Rugby Aupiki competition matches only, including finals.

References

1. "Green light for Super Rugby Aupiki". allblacks.com. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
2. Chapman, Grant (20 March 2022). "Super Rugby Aupiki: Chiefs Manawa dominate Blues to stay unbeaten, claim inaugural championship". Newshub. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
3. "Chiefs Manawa crowned Sky Super Rugby Aupiki champs". superrugby.co.nz. 20 March 2022. Archived from the original on 20 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
4. Reive, Christopher (20 March 2022). "Super Rugby Aupiki: Chiefs storm away to claim inaugural title". NZ Herald. Archived from the original on 20 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
5. Pearson, Joseph (20 March 2022). "Chiefs Manawa overwhelm gallant Blues in decider to win first Super Rugby Aupiki title". Stuff. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
6. "Chiefs Manawa Development XV to assist USA ahead of their PAC4 test".
7. "History in the making as Chiefs and Blues women prepare to play at Eden Park". superrugby.co.nz. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
8. "Blues and Chiefs combine for historic first Super Aotearoa Women's clash". www.aucklandrugby.co.nz. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
9. "Chiefs women deliver crushing victory over Blues in historic women's Super Rugby fixture". 1 News. 1 May 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
10. Burnes, Campbell (1 May 2021). "Chiefs too good in historic Super women's clash". allblacks.com. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
11. "New Zealand Rugby confirms a Four-team women's Super Rugby Aupiki for March 2022". oceania.rugby. 5 October 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
12. "NZR announces new women's Super Rugby competition". NZ Herald. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
13. Nelson, Trudi. ""This is a no-brainer": New Zealand Rugby launches elite women's competition". www.sen.com.au. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
14. Pearson, Joseph (5 October 2021). "Super Rugby Aupiki: Players will be paid in NZ Rugby's new elite women's competition". Stuff. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
15. Voerman, Andrew (6 May 2021). "New Zealand Rugby commits to launching new elite women's competition in 2022". Stuff. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
16. "Inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki squads announced". superrugby.co.nz. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
17. "Inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki squads announced". NZ Herald. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
18. "2022 Chiefs Women's Squad announced". Chiefs. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
19. "Super Rugby: Rotorua's Allan Bunting named head coach of Chiefs Women". NZ Herald. 6 October 2021. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
20. "Chiefs Manawa announce coaching set-up". www.sunlive.co.nz. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
21. "Chiefs Manawa unveil coaching line-up for inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki season". www.rugbypass.com. 20 January 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
22. "Chiefs unveil name, jersey for inaugural women's squad". 1 News. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
23. "Chiefs women's team reveal 'Manawa' as their identity for Super Rugby Aupiki". Stuff. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
24. "Chiefs wahine team takes the name Chiefs Manawa". Māori Television. 3 December 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
25. Goile, Aaron (5 March 2022). "Chiefs Manawa Super Rugby Aupiki pre-season win over Matatū marred by injuries". Stuff. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
26. "Chiefs Manawa hold on to defeat Matatū in pre-season hit-out". allblacks.com. 5 March 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
27. Burnes, Campbell (10 March 2022). "Chiefs Manawa edge Matatū in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki opener". superrugby.co.nz. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
28. Royen, Robert van (10 March 2022). "Chiefs Manawa edge Matatū in thrilling Super Rugby Aupiki opener". Stuff. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
29. Burnes, Campbell (15 March 2022). "Chiefs Manawa go 2-0 in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki". superrugby.co.nz. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
30. Pearson, Joseph (15 March 2022). "Super Rugby Aupiki: Chiefs Manawa overcome Hurricanes Poua despite losing two players to sinbin". Stuff. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
31. Pearson, Joseph (20 March 2022). "Chiefs Manawa overwhelm gallant Blues in decider to win first Super Rugby Aupiki title". Stuff. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
32. Burnes, Campbell (20 March 2022). "Chiefs Manawa crowned Sky Super Rugby Aupiki champs". superrugby.co.nz. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
33. "Crystal Kaua named Head Coach of Waitomo Chiefs Manawa". Chiefs. 28 September 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
34. Powell, Alex (28 September 2022). "Super Rugby Aupiki: First female coaches appointed for expanded 2023 competition". Newshub. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
35. "Super Rugby Aupiki returns for 2023 with two new coaches". NZ Sports Wire. 27 September 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
36. "Both teams to play in the same jersey in 2023 | Chiefs Rugby". Chiefs. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
37. "Super Rugby Aupiki: Squads announced for the extended 2024 competition". Stuff. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
38. "Chiefs Manawa squad announced for 2024". Chiefs. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
39. "Waitomo Chiefs Manawa Captain Announced". Chiefs. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
40. Wood, Jesse (6 February 2024). "New Chiefs captain drives the standards and lives the values'". NZ Herald. Retrieved 6 February 2024.

External links

• Official website